01 n. A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the…
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A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the dissemination of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another.“Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call “reviling;” the latter is more mean and base, and that which we properly call “slander”, or “Backbiting.”” — Tillotson.“[We] make the careful magistrate The mark of slander.” — B. Jonson.
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Disgrace; reproach; dishonor; opprobrium.“Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb.” — Shak.
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Formerly, defamation generally, whether oral or written; in modern usage, defamation by words spoken; utterance of false, malicious, and defamatory words, tending to the damage and derogation of another; calumny. See the Note under Defamation.(Law) See: Defamation